Sometimes it works very well when a new creative team comes up with a different vision of characters (such as the superb dark, violent drama of Samurai X – Trust & Betrayal (Director’s Cut), which was produced after the much more mainstream/cartoonish Rurouni Kenshin TV series.) In this case it doesn’t work; the movie lacks a lot of the things that made the series strong (such as good pacing and a strong musical score), but doesn’t bring anything new of its own to the experience.
Rating: 2 / 5

This movie isn’t really great for fans of the anime OR new fans. I went to see the movie with someone who had never seen the series, and he was just confused and didn’t care about the characters (b/c of lack of character development). The movie also relies on fans just accepting the romance and love between Eureka and Renton without showing it blossom. They even used the old anime trope of a “childhood friend.” I suppose they are hoping that fans of the series will gladly accept the romance because of the development in the series.

For fans of the series, the new personalities and backgrounds of the characters we’ve grown to know and love does nothing but alienate the fans. I understand that this is supposed to be a “re-imagining” and therefore have a completely different story and characterizations, but it’s just disconcerting to see your favorite characters fill entirely different roles and act in (sometimes) in a deplorable manner. We also never really get to see any character development or enough background to truly understand the characters’ motivations. You just have to accept them on face value.
Rating: 3 / 5

Just to quickly address a point that was brought up there is indeed reused animation from the original series, but you’re bound not to notice most of it anyway, as it never breaks the flow of the new narrative, and is often even reworked a bit or put into clever or amusing new contexts. Overall the art and animation is exactly what you’d expect of this studio: gorgeous, top-notch stuff, and I’m really pumped that they are actually releasing this on Blu-ray.

SPOILERS AHEAD SPOILERS AHEAD

One of the most common complaints about this movie and the one that sent the other reviewer packing is that they’ve completely changed some of the characters. The thing is that this is done very purposefully as part of the central theme of the new story. This movie actually takes place in a parallel universe to the original series. Because of a brief glimpse into that world which occurred before the events of the movie, many of the main characters in the movie universe, who are in a bit of a dire predicament, end up following a legend based on that interaction in hopes that recreating the events that took place in the world of the original series will help solve their own problems. What they come to find out is that they have to stay true to their own unique lives and experiences and create their own legend, solve their own problems. Part of the reason the movie is so in your face about the changes to key characters is to drive this point home. It’s really one of the most clever twists I’ve ever seen in terms of remaking a series into a movie. Unfortunately such an elaborate plot device relies a lot of talking head scenes which sort of hamper the pacing of the show, which is really probably my one and only complaint about the movie.

As a kind of aside I’m going to just say I thought the pedophilia jab at Dewey that was mentioned was actually a pretty dark and hilarious slight on his persona from the original series, where he had an army of utterly loyal children. Also Nirvash and the END in “pokemon” form are hilarious and adorable, so I really fail to see how that’s a downside.

SPOILERS BEHIND SPOILERS BEHIND

Overall it’s a really enjoyable movie. It’s a very well animated, fun and interesting new adventure with familiar faces and interesting new personalities. Easily the best series->movie adaptation/remake I’ve seen. Just go into it with an open mind and you’ll probably enjoy it.
Rating: 5 / 5

Brown herself is an insomnia sufferer, and thus, she speaks from experience. She is not afraid to give her personal evaluation of products and methods, noting what worked for her and what did not, but she is also always careful to note that what worked for her is not necessarily going to be the best for others. That said, it is important to reconize that Brown’s approach is decidedly pro-complementary therapies, and she has little use for sleeping pills. Introducing the reader to new complementary therapies that he or she might not have yet considered is likely the book’s most significant contribution, and Brown has taken great care to provide a comprehensive appendix of remedies, specialists, and resources for insomniacs.

What I found most difficult to accept about this book, howeverr, is that one of Brown’s main contentions is that one of the best things an insomniac can do is to release their anxiety about not sleeping. To a point, that is certainly correct. It’s hard to sleep when one is anxious about not sleeping. But Brown seems to take this notion a step further, suggesting that if people give themselves permission to not try to live up to an 8 hours/night standard, this will help alleviate much of their mental anguish. But insomniac’s aren’t upset or anxious about not sleeping because they’re not living up to a stated ideal. Rather, people know just how miserable they’ll be the next day if they don’t get a certain amount of sleep, and giving oneself permission to not sleep is not going to help that.

In sum, people who are looking for new alternative and non-Western approaches to dealing with insomnia will find a good catalogue of remedies here. Those who want to consider drug therapies along with complementary treatments may be better served elsewhere.
Rating: 3 / 5